What doe that even mean? I'm really not understanding this scenario... so babs was in the airport and parise was too and just walked by him? does that prove anything?

It's widely been reported that Parise left his agent's offices in Toronto to fly home to Minnesota today and discuss options with his family. Perhaps Parise is allowing a few face-to-face meetings? Or, as I joked about earlier, perhaps he's trying to "casually" run into Zach right off the jetway...

What doe that even mean? I'm really not understanding this scenario... so babs was in the airport and parise was too and just walked by him? does that prove anything?

The coach of the North Dakota Women's Hockey team was in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport 30 minutes ago and happened to walk by Mike Babcock, and he tweeted about it. It's well known that Zach Parise is flying back to Minneapolis today, and a decision is coming later today (*maybe*). The Red Wings are still "in" on Parise, and they want a face-to-face with him. Babcock is there, likely part of the hard sell.

That would be rare though. They have had over a year now to work out a deal with their respective teams, if they wanted to stay, why didn't they sign sometime over the past year. The only reason would be using other offers to up their value in a contract with their existing team. That makes total sense, but you rarely see that. Most cases, when players go to UFA, they sign elsewhere.

I have no actual evidence to back that up of course, I didn't waste my time digging for it, just a sense I've had over the past number of years.

I would agree more often than not your logic makes perfect sense. If there goal has been to find a deal where they can play together, (only they would know this) resigning earlier would have eliminated that opportunity.

I admit I didn't consider your point about them feeding off each other to increase there own vaules. Hopefully this drama ends today and Kenny can focus on his next move.

The coach of the North Dakota Women's Hockey team was in the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport 30 minutes ago and happened to walk by Mike Babcock, and he tweeted about it. It's well known that Zach Parise is flying back to Minneapolis today, and a decision is coming later today (*maybe*). The Red Wings are still "in" on Parise, and they want a face-to-face with him. Babcock is there, likely part of the hard sell.

"We won't guilt trip you into signing like Lou, Zach."

Suter's agent is also in Minneapolis, I believe.

OHHHHH the way I read it I had Parise walking by Babs in an airport. This makes more sense. So babs in in Minny either hoping to entice Parise/Suter or announce something perhaps. Cool.

Is there a kickstarter campaign for Jakub Kindl to never play another NHL game?

I believe Suter's agent is in Minneapolis, too... And for all we know Suter may not even be at his farm in Madison, either, since his agent wouldn't divulge that information anyway. So Babcock could be there for Parise, or for Suter, or (please, please, please) for both.

No mention of other management staff there that I've seen, but I'd be surprised if Babcock is flying solo.

Well, if it's true that Parise is down to two or three teams, it's a good sign that Babcock has flown to the city, whether or not Parise will be meeting with potential suitors. The fact that he's there indicates we're in the final group of two or three.

Or it could just mean he's there to push Suter into signing, but it's a strange coincidence, especially considering the rumors that Suter and Parise may be wanting to go to the same place.

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Drapes yoir job is to block other teams from getting out of the airport. Pens, Preds, Flyers, Devils, Hawks. Can you please do this? I am sending Toots to help. He can wreck shop and annhilate all of them.

George Malik provided a bit of clarification regarding Babcock in MSP...

Right. On the day rumored to be the day Parise (and thus maybe Suter) make up their minds, he just happens to be going home. Right when potential signees might want to meet with the coach he's headed out to the middle of nowhere, going AWOL. Something doesn't smell right with that story.

EDIT: He may very well be going home but I find it very hard to believe he's not making a pit stop first.

New e-book: The Spanish-American War: A Brief History. Relatively short, introductory read for casual history buffs and people who want to learn more about a forgotten war that changed America. Available at BN.com, Smashwords, Kobo, and Diesel E-Books right now. Same link as above.

Drapes yoir job is to block other teams from getting out of the airport. Pens, Preds, Flyers, Devils, Hawks. Can you please do this? I am sending Toots to help. He can wreck shop and annhilate all of them.

Right. On the day rumored to be the day Parise (and thus maybe Suter) make up their minds, he just happens to be going home. Right when potential signees might want to meet with the coach he's headed out to the middle of nowhere, going AWOL. Something doesn't smell right with that story.

EDIT: He may very well be going home but I find it very hard to believe he's not making a pit stop first.

^ This. What Malik posted was alluded to on SBNation earlier. No doubt he's heading home at some point, but it's complete horsecrap he's doing that *right now* when the fate of which franchise Parise/Suter still hangs in the balance. If Suter/Parise decide today he can just as easily catch a flight out to SK later today.